More Aboriginal people live in Canada's cities than on reserves or remote parts of the country. Several generations have grown in relative silence until recent years when the Aboriginal community and governments began in earnest to focus on their Urban Aboriginal issues and needs. This forum is here for you to provide useful and creative information to help address those needs. Let's share what works, not just what's wrong.

The United Native Nations (UNN) will be hosting an exploratory process dialogue session in Vancouver on Saturday, December 3rd (2011) at The Georgian Court Hotel. The session will begin at 9:45 am and end at 3:00 pm.

“This will be an important opportunity for urban Aboriginal peoples in Vancouver to discuss Indian registration, Band membership and Aboriginal citizenship. This is a chance to participate and contribute on core issues that have a major impact for our constituency,” said Lillian George,President of UNN.

In January 2011, Canada proclaimed in force Bill C-3, The Gender Equity in Indian Registration Act, which amended certain sections of the Indian Registration rules. Canada was required to amend the Indian Act based on a court ruling in a discrimination case initiated by Sharon McIvor and her son, Jacob Grismer.

During the process of amending the Indian Act, UNN complained about the narrow scope of Bill C-3 and its failure to deal with a number of problems with the Indian Actstatus and membership codes. Another major issue raised was the fact that Aboriginal people have the right to self-determination, which includes the right to determine citizenship. In response to complaints from many Aboriginal groups, the Crown made a commitment to engage in an exploratory process. Activities under the Exploratory Process will end in December 2011.

According to Canada, the purpose of the Exploratory Process is to gather information and identify critical issues for discussion relating to Indian registration, Band membership and Aboriginal citizenship. These discussions are to take place before any major changes in the current system occur and are designed to shed light and encourage further discussion on these complex issues.

Issues open for discussion during the Exploratory Process include, but are not limited to:

· Residual discrimination and second-generation cut-off

· Unstated paternity

· The current system of Indian registration under the Indian Act

· Emerging concepts of Indian registration, Band membership and citizenship

· First Nations assertion of jurisdiction over citizenship and issues related to governance and identity

· The relationship between policies, programs and services and Indian status and Band membership

· Métis-specific issues relating to citizenship in reference to the Powley decision

· Emerging concepts of Métis citizenship and identity

· The duality of identity, affiliation and eligibility as they relate to Indian status and the concept of Métis identity and citizenship, including their treatment within Métis communities and organizations.